Dr. Mary Howard

Dr. Mary Howard is an internationally renowned expert, leader and change-agent in the field of literacy. She is the author of RTI from All Sides: What Every Teacher Needs to Know (Heinemann, 2009). A powerhouse consultant and dynamic speaker, Mary has worked with countless educators to create literacy programs grounded in current cognitive research. She is often described as a “teachers’ teacher,” gifted with special insight into classroom realities and a master at translating research into practice. Mary provides an expert blend of research and practical application.

An educator for over three decades, Mary brings to the table extensive classroom experiences as a grade 1-6 special educator, grade K-12 reading tutor, reading specialist, literacy coach and Reading Recovery teacher. Years as a consultant, university instructor, author and international lecturer have further expanded a wealth of knowledge. Whether speaking or consulting, Mary’s prime conviction is helping educators create lifelong learners through professional responsibility and accountability for all students.

Fast-paced and inspiring, Dr. Howard’s seminars are packed with engaging strategies that can be immediately implemented across all content areas. Her no-nonsense approach gives teachers a deeper understanding of the learning process, enabling them to transform the teaching process into a powerful tool for maximizing the potential of every child. Your teachers will leave with a renewed sense of enthusiasm, armed with rich tools that will enhance any existing literacy program.

Areas of Expertise:

Maximizing the Success of Response to Intervention (RTI)

Integrating Literacy and Cognitive Research across the Curriculum

Enhancing Fluency, Comprehension, Vocabulary and Guided Reading Instruction

Creating Exemplary Literacy Frameworks for Struggling Readers

Keynote up to 1 hour: $3,000 + expenses
Half Day up to 3 hours: $3,750 + expenses
Full day up to 6 hours: $5,000 (flat rate)

The recent explosion of information on cognitive science has provided a wonderful window into the learning process. Using ten brains of learning as a springboard to change, Mary will describe important considerations for adapting instructional practices into a powerful tool to maximize learning across the curriculum

Examine effective literacy instruction in a new way with an energetic and humorous view of critical considerations for designing a rich literacy program at all grade levels. Using the shopping mall as an analogy, ten maxims of effective instruction will be highlighted to provide a framework for best practice

Using cognitive science and literacy process as a foundation, Mary will identify twenty rich instructional strategies designed to nurture each child's capabilities on a daily basis through instructional flexibility and differentiation. Teachers will learn a wealth of effective literacy strategies to immediately enhance any instructional encounter.

Response to Intervention (RTI): Making the Most of a Rich Literacy Framework

RTI uses a tiered system to create a framework that builds a culture of instructional responsiveness and differentiation. We begin by creating a high quality literacy program from the ground up with increasing levels of instructional intensity for students who need more than we can offer in a general classroom setting. Each tier is carefully coordinated so students receive the more they need in and across tiers. Mary will illustrate critical success factors of RTI and provide the tools for literacy excellence within an RTI model.

Dynamic Presenting: Communicating Confidently and Effectively in Education Settings

An ability to communicate effectively is an essential but often ignored skill in education. Educators spend the bulk of the day ‘presenting’ ideas to students, colleagues, parents, or community members, yet most educators have no background in this important life skill. Mary will share the secrets of confident, poised and skillful communicating to give you the essential tools that will transform ideas into powerful learning in any context.

This eye-opening session explores the most critical aspects of literacy for struggling readers including roadblocks that can impede success. Learn powerful, easy to implement strategies to make literacy success a reality for all students as you promote lasting change at a schoolwide level.

Fluency is the ultimate goal of any meaningful reading experience. Help students become more proficient readers with a smorgasbord of high-impact, easy-to-implement strategies that embed fluency into the entire school day.

We cannot underestimate the role comprehension plays in literacy development for reading without meaning is little more than a fruitless effort. Learn a treasure chest of ideas to enhance meaning with engaging strategies to build understanding and extend print.

Guided reading is a powerful tool for intensifying instruction by build strategic knowledge in small, flexible groups. Maximize this procedure by more efficiently organizing, orchestrating and initiating guided reading across the curriculum.

In order to create an exemplary literacy design, schools must first consider what is essential in our teaching. This inspiring session identifies how to establish “non-negotiables” for best practice with specific examples within and across classrooms.

Daily rich interactions with language offer priceless opportunities to expand vocabulary on a daily basis. Discover the secrets of promoting long-term memory with proven techniques using multi-modal collaboration and mnemonics.

"Mary Howard’s seminars are filled with wisdom and warmth. She teaches about language development, reading, joy development and respect for every student.", Robert Sornson, Executive Director of Special Services, Northville, Michigan.

"If you are ready for a fast-paced workshop that's jam-packed full of ideas that you can begin implementing immediately in your classroom, then this is the workshop for you. Dr. Mary Howard's passion for teaching and reaching EVERY child shines through with her dynamic presentation.", Dawn Kuntz, Literacy Specialist 1-3, West Wendover, NV.

"Mary's workshops are engaging from start to finish. They are fast paced and jam packed with practical information. Mary is the consummate presenter with an extensive knowledge base. She is definitely a major league coach who works effectively with teachers.", Roz Spear, Curriculum Coordinator, MSAD 56.

"Thanks for the inspiration! This was the best conference I have ever attended, with every minute filled with valuable information and strategies. I appreciate your expertise, excitement, enthusiasm and creative strategies. Thank you for reminding me why I am a teacher.", Cindy L. Morris, Reading Specialist, California.

"Mary is a gifted artist with teaching as her palette.", Ginnie McAdoo, 1st grade lead teacher, Georgia.